Cooking in the Can.

[headdoc427]

Does anyone cook canned food right in the can? Does it work OK? Should there be any concern about the lead content of the can or solder in the seams? Just wondered.

[Mellow]

Good question, I've wondered that too... You always see movies where they are eating a can of beans right out of the can...

Some of the ravioli and beefaroni, etc littls cans are just about perfect to pack away and would surely help w/cleanup... Plus, you could just leave the empty cans in the vestibule area of the 'guy that snores loud' and see if he's still there in the morning...

[headdoc427]

You always see movies where they are eating a can of beans right out of the can...

Some of the ravioli and beefaroni, etc littls cans are just about perfect to pack away and would surely help w/cleanup...

Exactly. I was thinking it give lots of eating options without all the cleanup. Stew, chilie, soup, etc. But, then if the heat causes the lead to leach out of the can..... It don't need to get any dumber. And you know those guys sitting around the campfire in the movies eating chilie out of the can - Arn't they the same ones that do all the dumb stuff? Like shoot themselves in the foot or cause the cattle to stampede.

[Mellow]

That's a good point... and that's in the movies... sometime, life imitates art and then takes it another level.. LOL

[Trekker]

Cans made in the US for food have not had lead since 1991. There may also be a similar ban on imported foods, but I suspect you would not find many cans with lead in them much anymore....at least here in North America.

The only problem I have with heating food in the cans is they get too hot to hold, (and possibly dirty with carbon from a wood fire). So then you'll need a glove or pot holder.

[mongo]

Use single purpose 4 " channel locks to hold the can, if you ever need them for a breakdown you have them.

[headdoc427]

Cans made in the US for food have not had lead since 1991. There may also be a similar ban on imported foods, but I suspect you would not find many cans with lead in them much anymore....at least here in North America.

The only problem I have with heating food in the cans is they get too hot to hold, (and possibly dirty with carbon from a wood fire). So then you'll need a glove or pot holder.
Thanks for the info. I've been wondering about that for a long time. I like mongo's idea about the channel locks. I'm going to try this.

You know...while I'm at it, I was also wondering about a version of another idea posted on this site: What about emptying the can's contents into a zip lock bag and warming the canned food up in boilling water. Presumably, one could use the water for something else - cocoa, purified drinking water washing up, whatever. Warm food - no cleanup.

This is a version of the eggs in a bag breakfast. This brings up another question: I remember reading somewhere that one should not warm food up in a microwave with plastic wrap on top as the combination of heat and plastic next to the food produces a carcinogen? (you'all are going to think I have a contamination phobia) Anyone else heard this and won't that apply to food in a plastic bag?

[Mellow]

Probably more of an issue with microwaves vs well, I can't think of the word, convective heat?

Any more phobia posts and we'll have to change your name from headdoc to headcase... LOL.. me so funny...

[headdoc427]

Any more phobia posts and I'll have to set-up an appointment with myself. LOL (I'm a psychologist). But if stuff is really trying to contaminate you - is it a phobia?

[Mellow]

So, are you hear because you like camping... OR.. because you are looking for new clients?

Apparently, most other bikers I tell I camp just stare at me and tell me I'm crazy...:dizzy1: :rx1:

[Trailace]

So, are you hear because you like camping... OR.. because you are looking for new clients?

Apparently, most other bikers I tell I camp just stare at me and tell me I'm crazy...:dizzy1: :rx1:
And you think it's because you camp?:rolleyes: You do need help.

[headdoc427]

If you think you're crazy - you're not. The problem is when you think you're not and you're sure everyone else is. So yeah, we might all be a little crazy on this site, but in a good way.

[Trekker]

What if I think I'm better looking than everyone else???

wait.......

[headdoc427]

What if I think I'm better looking than everyone else???

wait.......
Thats.....when we got a problem!

[STeveGray]

Thats.....when we got a problem!

Nah. I'd just call it a benign delusion. I don't see it as a problem.

I always consider it a hopeful sign when people who see me are still able to keep their lunch down. :rolleyes:

[headdoc427]

Nah. I'd just call it a benign delusion. I don't see it as a problem.

I always consider it a hopeful sign when people who see me are still able to keep their lunch down. :rolleyes:
What did Forest's mother say. "Handsome is as handsome does." Or didn't Red Green always say: "If the women don't find you handsome they should at least find you handy." I've had to focus on being handy.

[STeveGray]

What did Forest's mother say. "Handsome is as handsome does." Or didn't Red Green always say: "If the women don't find you handsome they should at least find you handy." I've had to focus on being handy.

HA! That's almost exactly what my mother used to tell me. When I was little she frequently said, "Steve, you're not decorative so you might as well be useful." Then she'd give me something to do! :)

[headdoc427]

Moms. You got to love them. (or they'll hurt ya)

[Trailace]

Moms. You got to love them. (or they'll hurt ya)
This needs to go on our T-Shirt! LOL

[Mellow]

hey headdoc....LCSW here, Inpatient Adolescent for 8 years! I own a drug and alcohol testing business now, so who's crazy?

Wooohooo...party at Tiny's place!

[headdoc427]

hey headdoc....LCSW here, Inpatient Adolescent for 8 years! I own a drug and alcohol testing business now, so who's crazy?
WE ARE!
Or at least I am, since I'm still in the game. Hey nice to have a fellow mental health professional here. Good to meet you.

[headdoc427]

I own a drug and alcohol testing business now, so who's crazy?
Hey, by the way you looking for any "testers." LOL

[Trailace]

If it wasn?t for us patients you guys wouldn?t have crap.

[headdoc427]

You know. I can't even remember where this thread started.

[Mellow]

Be Right Back... I need a beer

[headdoc427]

If it wasn?t for us patients you guys wouldn?t have crap.
Well...we'd have crap, but not much else.

[Mellow]

Waaaaayyyyy TMI

[Mellow]

I'm still trying to figure out why you guys want to cook in the bathroom.:oh2:

[headdoc427]

Yeah, don't lose those.

[headdoc427]

I'm still trying to figure out why you guys want to cook in the bathroom.:oh2:
I wondered who was going to point that out. I made a commitment that it was not going to be me.

[Mellow]

I wondered who was going to point that out. I made a commitment that it was not going to be me.

I have no shame, or scruples, or money, or hair.. well, a little but it's in my ears.

[STeveGray]

Wow. Tiny's an LCSW, Headdoc's a clinical psych, so, just to keep it going, I'm a licensed MFT. :)

[headdoc427]

Wow. Tiny's an LCSW, Headdoc's a clinical psych, so, just to keep it going, I'm a licensed MFT. :)
Yeah Wow. What is it with these motocamping mental health professionals.

[FrioPoint]

I'm still trying to figure out why you guys want to cook in the bathroom.:oh2:

Here is my cousin cooking on the can in a motel room in Alpine, TX.
It was many years ago and I can't remember why he was doing this.
I don't think I want to remember.
However, I know that he had the entire meal to himself.

http://www.smugmug.com/photos/65520264-L.jpg

[Mellow]

That's Great!:run1:

[headdoc427]

Here is my cousin cooking on the can in a motel room in Alpine, TX.
It was many years ago and I can't remember why he was doing this.
I don't think I want to remember.
However, I know that he had the entire meal to himself.
That's great. Dinner Time...Come and Get IT.
You know you're really supercharging my contamination phobias.

[Diggers1300]

WARNING WARNING WARNING

Will Robinson, This thread has been hijacked/DERAILED!:con1:










I'm ok, really

[Mellow]

:wow1: :boss1: :wow1:

[STeveGray]

Yeah Wow. What is it with these motocamping mental health professionals.

Gotta to something to help maintain my tenuous grip on sanity. :D

[Mellow]

Hmmmm... another tag line... MotoCampers.com...... because we're crazy

[Mark]

Hmmmm... another tag line... MotoCampers.com...... because we're crazy

"because we're crazy about riding and camping"

[Mellow]

"because we're crazy about riding and camping"

riding+camping... cramping..........

[Mark]

DOH!

Your word association genes are working overtime...

Stay away from riding and camping and cramping...

[DonD]

First night on the road, at store buy large can Dinty Moore Stew, bread and butter. Wash and save can. Next night buy cans of whatever looks good..smaller cans fit inside larger cans and soon you have a nifty disposable mess kit for the duration of your trip. I bring an empty stuff sack to put the now sooted mess kit in. The channel locks are what I use too. The offset jaws are made for camp cooking. Gloves for the fire/stove are as close as my bike.
I make a mean meatloaf in a can. one pound ground beef, onion and seasoning in the can next to the fire, rotate often and enjoy.
Love egg subsitute, a can of new potatoes and some CND bacon..my my I'm getting hungry now. :o I cook in cans often and so far so.....

[Mellow]

Man, some of you guys eat better camping than I eat at home...:tent3:

[mongo]

Lets keep spreading the wisdom around, that's a good idea reusing the cans. Thanks DonD.

[DonD]

Man, some of you guys eat better camping than I eat at home...:tent3:
I used to have a tabletop propane bbq with a battery powered spit. At the time I was camping w/a sidecar rig and could bring lots of ammenities. The look on ppl's faces was priceless when they'd see a nice tri-tip cooking on the rotisserie and you could see them looking for a power cord. I used the bbq for all cooking on the road, even baked my meatloaf by pushing the lava rocks to the side and setting the can in the corner, then put the lid on and let 'er bake. I even had a rechargable blender!
I wish I could find another battery powered spit motor, the tabletop Weber fits in my Bushtec too :o

[Mellow]

How about this:
http://www.bbq-tools.com/store/moreinfo.cfm?Product_ID=49

[DonD]

How about this:
http://www.bbq-tools.com/store/moreinfo.cfm?Product_ID=49
Two great minds.....:p

I went searching too.

I found one on Ebay that attaches to the bbq as the other one did. Thanks very much Joe..we be cooking soon!

I will save for future use.

[headdoc427]

First night on the road, at store buy large can Dinty Moore Stew, bread and butter. Wash and save can. Next night buy cans of whatever looks good..smaller cans fit inside larger cans and soon you have a nifty disposable mess kit for the duration of your trip. I bring an empty stuff sack to put the now sooted mess kit in. The channel locks are what I use too. The offset jaws are made for camp cooking. Gloves for the fire/stove are as close as my bike.
I make a mean meatloaf in a can. one pound ground beef, onion and seasoning in the can next to the fire, rotate often and enjoy.
Love egg subsitute, a can of new potatoes and some CND bacon..my my I'm getting hungry now. :o I cook in cans often and so far so.....
WOW...thats a great idea. Then you get home and throw the "mess kit" in the recycle bin (tricycle bin?). Thanks for the idea.

By the way DonD I think I quoted you from the ST site here (http://www.motocampers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=204) #5.

[Mellow]

I'm going camping with you Dond :grill1:

[DonD]

I'm going camping with you Dond :grill1:
When I get my new rotisserie..Let's go!!:o

[Trailace]

Is there a date set?

[Mellow]

:grill1:

[sandman]

Learning to camp cook in a motel room head...there's something wrong with this picture.

Gordon

[DonD]

I'm having an iced tea while watching my (new) cordless rotisserie go 'round and 'round and ....

Next campout I'm set!~ Thanks Mellow for jogging my memory.

[Mellow]

Cool!...

[DonD]

Ta-Da!!!!!!!

That'll work

[DonD]

Is that a Brisket or London Broil?
Top round roast...good and on sale today.:)

[DonD]

Bastard! I'm on a diet!
Lean beef, 1 slice 12 grain bread, low fat chic gravy (1/2gr 1/4 cup), mixed veggies w/a bit of lemon pepper. Me too :-)

[mongo]

Learning to camp cook in a motel room head...there's something wrong with this picture.

Gordon


I agree with that statement!

[Mellow]

Hey DonD, you gonna have that setup at WeSTOC? Man, I'm hungry...

[DonD]

Hey DonD, you gonna have that setup at WeSTOC? Man, I'm hungry...
Maybe but you'd better eat before Sept..:p

[Mellow]

Maybe but you'd better eat before Sept..:p
Yeah, Like that's gonna be a problem... :burger1:

[Tombstone]

Here's how I do it. The metal plate by the stove has holes drilled in it and is used for smaller cans that might slip off the grill. Its surprising how fast the food will heat up.

http://i102.photobucket.com/albums/m85/Tombstone-z1/Lunch.jpg

[Hemibee]

The only problem I have with heating food in the cans is they get too hot to hold, (and possibly dirty with carbon from a wood fire). So then you'll need a glove or pot holder.

Use the lid as a handle, curl it back away from the can and bend it to fit over your fingers. You might have to use a paper towel or your riding gloves at first if you aren't used to the heat but your hands will adapt to the heat real quick.

[motomac]

I don't eat out of the can, but I do eat out of the pan I cook in. So if I have Dinty Moore stew, unless I share with someone, I eat it out of the pan I heat it in. I thought about trying to heat a can of ravioli, but in the end nixed it and poured it into my trusty pan and heated it. Yeah I ate it out of the pan! The trouble with heating in the can is the surface area of the bottom of the can is so much smaller than the sides of the can, so unless you constantly stir the contents, only the bottom of the can warms and the top of the stuff is still cold. What I'm really trying to say is the bottom stuff is burned and the top is still cold.

[ImRubicon]

Good question, I've wondered that too... You always see movies where they are eating a can of beans right out of the can...

Some of the ravioli and beefaroni, etc littls cans are just about perfect to pack away and would surely help w/cleanup... Plus, you could just leave the empty cans in the vestibule area of the 'guy that snores loud' and see if he's still there in the morning...


Hey I wouldnt like all those cans in my tent in the morning:D

But its not like the beer cans are much better lol
Of course I can still start a fire Joe !

[fredric]

While in the military, many years ago, we ate quite a few meals straight from the can. We always submerged the can, unopened, in water and boiled. As long as the water covered the can we had no problems. The contents were heated uniformly.

[G wizz]

YES YOU CAN heat up a can of whatever and eat out of the can ... Been doing it for ages.
Just don't cut the top all the way off of your can, bend it all the way back and use this for a place to grab the can, use a pair of pliers to pick up and hold the can by the lid. (I use my leatherman multitool)
Only thing to keep in mind is you must keep stirring your food to keep it from burning to the bottom of the can.
Don't forget to peal the paper lable off the can first.

G wizz

[Capt_Gruuvy]

I eat out of the can all the time and it hasn't hurt me any.

And on top of that I eat out of the can all the time and it hasn't hurt me any.

[George]

What did Forest's mother say. "Handsome is as handsome does." Or didn't Red Green always say: "If the women don't find you handsome they should at least find you handy." I've had to focus on being handy.

I'm handy, too. Has worked a treat with the ladies for years. Now, tho, I'm handy and OLD! It don't work so well. :D

Guess I'm late on this thread, but I put usually put my stuff from can to pan, then eat out'a the pan.

Except salad. I don't heat up salad. Youse guys gotta try my cilantro-garlic-lemon salad dressing.

[Mr. Guy]

Well, we need a recipe.

Guy

[swandog]

raviolli cooked in a can while camping is my favorate ,i dont like too pack pots with me so cans are convieniant .

[Scout]

While in the military, many years ago, we ate quite a few meals straight from the can. We always submerged the can, unopened, in water and boiled. As long as the water covered the can we had no problems. The contents were heated uniformly.


That is how we used to heat C-Rations before MREs came around (about 1982). You would put water in your metal canteen cup put the can in the cup, submerge it for awhile then take it out. The water you used for coffee. If the contents were not hot enough you can put it on the sterno heater directly for a little while. Use a pair of pliers to hold the can. If I remember correctly there was a military can holder too???

Scout

[Dstrickland]

I ate out of C-ration cans all the time and would cut them into field expedient stoves to use heat tabs. I still like to cook beanie weanies in the can on gas stoves or the grill. But the C-rations were from the late 70's and early 80's. That's a lot of lead if that's true about not having lead in them since 1990's. I'm doomed. :eek:

[Clamper]

Capt Gruuvy wrote; I eat out of the can all the time and it hasn't hurt me any.

And on top of that I eat out of the can all the time and it hasn't hurt me any.

Now that's funny right there. :D

[swandog]

I eat out of the can all the time and it hasn't hurt me any.

And on top of that I eat out of the can all the time and it hasn't hurt me any.

sounds like what one of the sailors on the franklin expedition to find the northwest passage would say .

[Black and Blue]

I ate out of C-ration cans all the time and would cut them into field expedient stoves to use heat tabs. I still like to cook beanie weanies in the can on gas stoves or the grill. But the C-rations were from the late 70's and early 80's. That's a lot of lead if that's true about not having lead in them since 1990's. I'm doomed. :eek:

Well, I ate C-Rats out of the can also back in '72. Guess we're both doom. Rangers Lead The Way.P^

[Clamper]

Rangers Lead The Way

I can think of a couple boys who mouthed off to the Sarge and were told they would lead out. I don't recall them being Rangers. '69-70

[George]

When I first saw this thread, I thought, "No, I cook in the kitchen." :D

[eggmandingo]

Something I would like to add, I did'nt notice another comment about it, is getting a pot holder and sew two sides together...makin kind of a beer cozy thing. Works well, just be careful where you set it down unless you add a bottom to it.

[vt1099ace]

my concern is still the can liner, since all cans have a plastic coating between the food and the metal, what happens when the can's heated? especially on the bottom? I'm not keen on melted plastic contaminating the food. Now, eating (cold) from the can is a different story... or a can on the exhaust that does a slow heat wold be something else. But open can, put on stove? I dunno...:confused:

[Mr. Guy]

Boil the can in a pan of water is the safest way to avoid melting the plastic liner. But then you need to carry a pan, but you wont need to wash it.

Guy

[vt1099ace]

Boil the can in a pan of water is the safest way to avoid melting the plastic liner. But then you need to carry a pan, but you wont need to wash it.

Guy

didn't think about boiling the can...I was looking into freezer bag cooking, where you put all the dried indredients into zip freezer bags, add boiling water and let sit for a few minutes inside a cozy...

check this out:
http://www.alltheweb.com/search?q=freezer+bag+cooking

[Click]

I would not cook anything in the cans of today. That plastic lining is actually BPA or bisphenol-A.

BPA, or bisphenol-A, has been linked to various cancers (breast and prostate cancer), early onset puberty, Type II diabetes and neurobehavioral changes in offspring exposed in the womb, according to the EWG. This chemical, used in many plastics, such as polycarbonate plastic (hard, colored water bottles and water coolers) and the lining of most food and beverage cans, leaches into foods. Even more of the chemical is released when it's heated. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control found BPA in the bodies of 93 percent of the people they tested.

http://www.riverwired.com/blog/bpa-dangers-canned-foods-may-be-greater-plastics

[mark444]

Never (OK......I did it ONCE!!) put an un-opened can directly in the fire (or embers) to heat it........even for a minute or two. BOOM!!!!!!
Learning experience.......(un-opened) can of tomatoes, okra, and corn, went off like a grenade......blowing out my campfire and scattering glowing embers in a 7' radius around the (now dark) firepit. Luckily I was not hit by scrapnel nor embers, but used my soiled britches to quickly start another fire...........:eek:

[Jeff in Ferndale WA]

Never (OK......I did it ONCE!!) put an un-opened can directly in the fire (or embers) to heat it........even for a minute or two. BOOM!!!!!!
Learning experience.......(un-opened) can of tomatoes, okra, and corn, went off like a grenade......blowing out my campfire and scattering glowing embers in a 7' radius around the (now dark) firepit. Luckily I was not hit by scrapnel nor embers, but used my soiled britches to quickly start another fire...........:eek:

Had that happen once with a can of chili.Exciting to say the least.:eek:

[ImRubicon]

Good question, I've wondered that too... You always see movies where they are eating a can of beans right out of the can...

Some of the ravioli and beefaroni, etc littls cans are just about perfect to pack away and would surely help w/cleanup... Plus, you could just leave the empty cans in the vestibule area of the 'guy that snores loud' and see if he's still there in the morning...

:eek: Hey I could end up being that guy LOL

[VStromTom]

Pet food cans may differ from human food cans, but the ones we used to run were epoxy phenolic coated and we ran retort temps of 253 degrees. Not sure boiling at 212 would negate any such coatings risk. Not sure there is such a risk anyway. IMO of course, not a can coating expert by any means.

[Aldawg]

I would not cook anything in the cans of today. That plastic lining is actually BPA or bisphenol-A.

BPA, or bisphenol-A, has been linked to various cancers (breast and prostate cancer), early onset puberty, Type II diabetes and neurobehavioral changes in offspring exposed in the womb, according to the EWG. This chemical, used in many plastics, such as polycarbonate plastic (hard, colored water bottles and water coolers) and the lining of most food and beverage cans, leaches into foods. Even more of the chemical is released when it's heated. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control found BPA in the bodies of 93 percent of the people they tested.

http://www.riverwired.com/blog/bpa-dangers-canned-foods-may-be-greater-plastics

I'm shocked it took 9 pages for someone to point this out. This proves that you guys really really need to stop eating out of your cans. First lead poisoning, now y'all have brain, uh I mean BPA poisoning.:eek:

[dray]

Yes I have heated food in unopened cans just keep a close eye on them set them off to the side of the fire not in it poke small hole if your worried about it


I have even heated soup in cans dropped down the exhaust of a excavator set at high idle and hold the can in with a stick till warm turn throttle all the way up and can pops right out ready to eat

[ImRubicon]

wow its the night to revive old topic's

[SidecarMike]

I used to have a tabletop propane bbq with a battery powered spit. At the time I was camping w/a sidecar rig and could bring lots of ammenities. The look on ppl's faces was priceless when they'd see a nice tri-tip cooking on the rotisserie and you could see them looking for a power cord. I used the bbq for all cooking on the road, even baked my meatloaf by pushing the lava rocks to the side and setting the can in the corner, then put the lid on and let 'er bake. I even had a rechargable blender!
I wish I could find another battery powered spit motor, the tabletop Weber fits in my Bushtec too :o

As you wish...http://www.onegrill.com/Battery_Rotisserie_Motor_p/4pm04.htm
The remaining parts are available at any thrift store.

[Silas]

didn't think about boiling the can...I was looking into freezer bag cooking, where you put all the dried indredients into zip freezer bags, add boiling water and let sit for a few minutes inside a cozy...

check this out:
http://www.alltheweb.com/search?q=freezer+bag+cooking

Wouldn't putting boiling water in a plastic bag also leech out harmful chemicals? I'm wondering why no one has questioned this?

Seems it would be a simple test: Put boiling water in a bag, let cool, take out and see what leeched out!